Light generating toy

ABSTRACT

A toy for generating light utilizing the principle of static electricity generated between two dielectric surfaces which ionizes a gas and emits light. A hollow transparent glass ball is filled with an ionizing gas and is caused to revolve within the raceway formed by the inner surface of a second sphere or a toroid formed of plastic. The static charge generated by the rolling friction between the two dielectrics will ionize the gas and emit light. In one embodiment, a multipoint member is positioned within the glass sphere to enhance arcing and ionization of the gas.

D United States Patent [1 1 m1 3,903,638 Camber Sept. 9, 1975 LIGHT GENERATING TOY Primary Examiner-Louis G. Mancene [76] Inventor: Bogdan Comber, 1540 Mt. Ephraim Assistant Examiner-Robert Cutgng Ave. Camden, 08104 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Charles Duffield [22] Filed: June 11, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT [2|] Appl. No.: 368,497

A toy for generating light utilizing the principle of static electricity generated between two dielectric surj i 'i 46/1 225293582 faces which ionizes a gas and emits light. A hollow s i 47 52 23} transparent glass ball is filled with an ionizing gas and 1 le 0 care 2 /5 3 6 is caused to revolve within the raceway formed by the inner surface of a second sphere or a toroid formed of plastic. The static charge generated by the rolling fric- [56] References (med tion between the two dielectrics will ionize the gas and UNITED STATES PATENTS emit light. In one embodiment, a multipoint member is 2,449.880 9/!948 Cox 313/358 X positioned within the glass sphere to enhance arcing 2,856,561 lO/l958 Giezendanner it 310/7 and ionization of the gag 3 l67,88l 2/1965 Mazzadra 46/47 7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures LIGHT GENERATING TOY BACKGROUND OF INVENTION The present invention is concerned with light emitting toys and, more specifically, to a toy which utilizes the principle of static electricity for generation of light.

It has been well known for years that two dielectric materials of differing dielectric coefficients will transfer electrons, one from another, when the surfaces are rubbed together. The result is a negative charge on one of the materials and a positive charge on the other. This principle has often been demonstrated by the familiar experiment of rubbing animal fur upon a hard rubber object wherein the electrons transfer from the fur to the rubber. The result is that the rubber acquires an excess of electrons and becomes negatively charged while the fur, having lost the electrons, becomes positively charged.

Glass and plastic, both being dielectric material, will demonstrate the same effect. The glass, when brought into contact and separated from the plastic, will lose electrons to the plastic and consequently the glass will become positively charged while the plastic will assume the negative charge.

This phenomenon of generation of static electricity between two dielectrics has been utilized, through the years, primarily as demonstrations in laboratory experi ments. There has also been some practical application of the phenomenon of static electricity in toys. These toys employ the principle that like charges repel whereas unlike charges attract. The toys include means for generating a static charge upon objects within the toys, such as antimated characters, the static charges cause movement of the characters about the toy by reason of the generation and/or leakage of the static charge. However, there does not appear to be any toys which utilize the principle of generation of static electricity for the creation of light.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF INVENTION It is the object of the present invention to provide a light emitting toy utilizing the principle of creation of static electricity by contact of two dielectrics of different dielectric constants wherein the induced charge is utilized to ionize a gas to generate light emission.

The foregoing object is carried out by the present invention, in one species, by means ofa clear or translucent plastic toroidal coil, A translucent or transparent hollow glass ball is positioned within the raceway formed by the toroid and is free to revolve around the raceway. An ionizable gas, such as neon or argon, is disposed within the glass ball. Additionally, a multipoint member is suspended within the ball with the points of the member in close proximity to the inside surface of the glass ball.

Movement of the toroidal raceway will cause rolling contact of the glass ball with the plastic toroidal raceway. The movement between the two dielectric materials will generate a random positive charge upon the surface of the ball. The negative charge upon the toroidal coil, by electro-magnctic induction upon the multipoint member, will cause arcing across the points to the sphere (convection electricity) with resultant ionization of the gas and consequent light emission.

In a second species of the invention, the hollow glass ball and included ionizable gas is disposed within a larger hollow plastic ball. The multipoint member is not utilized. As the larger sphere is rotated, the contact of the glass ball with the inner surface of the plastic ball will induce the static charges with resultant ionization and light emission of the gas within the glass ball.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description thereof which follows taken in conjunction with the drawing.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one species of the invention utilizing a toroidal coil;

FIG. 2 is a cross section view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1',

FIG. 3 is a detail view of one form of multipoint member utilized in the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross section view of an alternate b rm of toroidal coil of the apparatus of FIG. 1',

FIG. 5 is a detail view of a further species of multi point member utilized in the apparatus of FIG. I; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second species of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION The light generating toy of the present invention is shown in perspective view of FIG. 1 of the drawing. The toy includes a continuous hollow toroidal coil or raceway 10. The raceway further includes a handle 11. The handle 11 utilizes two extending arms 12, the outer extremities of which are curved to engage and secure the coil 10 to the handle II.

In accordance with the invention, a hollow glass ball or sphere 13 is positioned within the raceway 10. The glass ball 13, as best may be seen in FIG. 2, is ofa diameter slightly less than the diameter of the raceway [0.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the hollow glass ball includes a multipoint member 14 suspended within the glass ball. The member 14 consists of a dielectric supporting member 15 and a plurality of extended arms 16. The dielectric support 15, preferably of glass, is adapted to engage the inner surface of the glass ball 14 and, in that manner, is secured in place. The arms 16, preferably 24 in number, and are disposed in quadratures six to a side symmetrically about the supporting rod 15. The arms 16 are formed of a conductive material, preferably copper, and are of a length to extend into close proximity with the inner surface of the glass ball I3 as shown in FIG. 2.

The glass ball 13 contains an ionizable gas such as neon or argon. Such gases, when electrically energized at or above the ionization point, will emit light of a color characteristic of the particular gas involved. Neon will emit the familiar red to orange light seen in signs.

In operation, the handle 11 of the support is held in the hand and rotated in circular or arcuate fashion to revolve the raceway 10. As this occurs, the glass ball 13 within the raceway will revolve about within the raceway. The rolling contact between the glass ball 13 and the plastic raceway 10 will induce a positive charge upon the outer surface of the glass ball 13.

The glass ball will contact the inner surface of the raceway only over a given portion of the glass ball at any given instant of time. At that given instant, the charge on that portion of the glass ball, in contact with the plastic raceway, will be more positive than other portions of the glass ball. This difference in potential will result in electrons discharging lrum UM; points ot the arms 16 toward the point of higher potential in an effort to seek electrical equilibrium within the ball. The arcing or discharge of the induced static charge between the points or tips of the arms 16 and the inner surface of the ball will ionize the gas in that region causing the gas to emit photons or visible light.

At the next given instant in time, a different portion of the glass sphere will become positively charged due to the random rolling contact between the ball and the plastic raceway. Accordingly and at the next instant in time, the potential difference across the points of the arms of the multipoint member is at a different location than at the earlier instant and arcing will occur at that location within the glass ball. Thus, as the ball rolls within the raceway, the tumbling and rolling action of the ball will cause arcing and ionization of the gas along all of the points of the arms 16 resulting in total ionization of the gas within the ball.

The amount of electric charge induced upon the glass ball is a function of the area of surface contact between the two dielectric materials. This area of contact can be increased with increased induced charge by altering the configuration of the raceway as shown in FIG. 4. In this embodiment. the raceway is formed of a cross section approximating an elipse. The major diameter of the elipse, consisting of the end sections 17, are of a radius on the inner surface thereof of substantially the same radius as the outer surface of the glass ball 13.

The walls or sides of the raceway [8, representing the minor dimension of the elipse, deviate somewhat from the true elipse in that these wall portions include straight portions interconnecting the end portions 17. This configuration. as shown in FIG. 4, permits nearly 180 degrees of surface contact of the glass ball with the inner surface of the raceway while, at the same time, preventing ample clearance above the remainder of the glass ball to permit free movement of the ball within the raceway.

An alternate form of multipoint member may be employed as shown in FIG. 5. ln this embodiment, the multipoint member 18 is formed of glass or suitable other dielectric material. The member 18 includes a central spherical portion 19 which is supported within the glass sphere by a glass support member 20. A plurality of projections 21 extend symmetrically in all directions from the center spherical portion 19. As in the case of the multipoint member in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the length of the projections 21 are dimensioned such that the tips thereof are in close proximity to the inside circumference of the glass ball. The multipoint member 18 functions within the ball in the same manner as the multipoint member shown in the embodiment of FIG. 3.

An alternate embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 6 of the drawing. In this embodiment, a similiar hollow sphere or ball 13 is employed. The ball 13 is filled with an ionizable gas as in the case of the embodiment of FIG. 1. However, the multipoint member utilized in the embodiment of FIG. 1 is omitted.

The glass ball 13 is positioned within another plastic hollow sphere 22 and is free to move unrestricted around the inner circumference of the sphere 22. The plastic 22 is preferably of a translucent or transparent material.

The sphere 22 includes two bushings 23 on the outer circumference of the sphere. A pair of axles or arms 24 are ournaled into the bushings 23 and terminate in a handle 25.

In operation, the outer plastic sphere 22 is rolled upon the floor by means of the handle 25 in a familiar manner. As the sphere 22 rolls, the inner glass ball 13 will roll about the inner circumference of the plastic sphere 22 and induce a charge on the glass ball 13 as above described. As this occurs, the randomly moving charge induced on the glass ball 13 will result in ionization of the gas within the ball to emit light.

In the embodiment of toy shown in FIG. 1, the raceway 10 is of an outside diameter of 12 inches whereas the diameter across the raceway itself is 2.40 inches. The preferred wall thickness of the plastic raceway is 0.065 inches. The outside diameter of the glass ball 13 is preferably 2.250 inches while the wall thickness of the glass ball is 0.050 inches thick.

The ionizable gas utilized within the glass ball may be any of the familiar such gases as neon, argon or helium. The gases are evacuated from the ball to one millimeter of mercury. The multipoint member utilizes a glass rod of 0.125 inches in diameter and the copper arms 16 are of 0.015 inches in diameter. The clearance between the tips of the arms 16 and the inner surface of the glass member is preferably 0.125 inches.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the major diameter of the raceway is 2.675 inches whereas the minor diameter approximates the outside diameter of the glass ball which is 2.500 inches. The thickness of the raceway and the glass ball remains the same. The diameter of the spherical center section 19 of the multipoint member is 1.000 inches and the diameter of the glass supporting member 20 is 0.100 inches. The projections 21 are 0.125 inches at their base and extend from the spherical center section 19 a distance of 0.575 inches and terminate in a tip portion of 0.062 inches in diameter. This provides 0.125 inches clearance between the points of the projections and the inner circumference of the glass ball. The tip must be very sharp at its edge.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the outside diameter of the plastic sphere 22 is preferably 10 inches in diameter. The outside diameter of the glass ball 13 is preferably 2.50 inches in diameter. The thickness of the plastic and glass materials remain the same as well as the particulars in respect to the gas used and degree of evacuation of the glass ball 13.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the present invention provides a new and novel toy which utilizes the principle of generation of a static charge by separating contact of two dielectrics wherein the charge is utilized to ionize a gas contained within one of the dielectrics to emit light.

The present invention has been described in respect to particular embodiments thereof as shown in the drawing. Other embodiments and modifications thereof will now become apparant to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, no limitation as to the scope of the invention was intended by the particular embodiments shown but the scope of the invention is to be determined in accordance with the appended claims.

1 claim:

1. A light generating toy comprising:

a dielectric surface; and

a hollow member movable in engagement with the surface and formed of a dielectric material of different dielectric coefficient than the surface;

the hollow member being formed of a transparent material and including an ionizable gas therein whereby movement of the hollow member upon the surface will induce an electrical charge upon the hollow member and ionize the gas with resultant light emission. 2. The toy of claim I wherein the dielectric surface is a hollow sphere and the member is a hollow sphere. 3. The toy of claim 1 wherein the dielectric surface is a continuous toroid and the hollow member is a sphere of diameter less than the toroid.

4. The toy of claim 3 further including a multipoint cross section approximating an elipse. 

1. A light generating toy comprising: a dielectric surface; and a hollow member movable in engagement with the surface and formed of a dielectric material of different dielectric coefficient than the surface; the hollow member being formed of a transparent material and including an ionizable gas therein whereby movement of the hollow member upon the surface will induce an electrical charge upon the hollow member and ionize the gas with resultant light emission.
 2. The toy of claim 1 wherein the dielectric surface is a hollow sphere and the member is a hollow sphere.
 3. The toy of claim 1 wherein the dielectric surface is a continuous toroid and the hollow member is a sphere of diameter less than the toroid.
 4. The toy of claim 3 further including a multipoint member suspended within the sphere and of dimension such that the points of the multipoint member extend to close proximity to the inner surface of the hollow sphere.
 5. The toy of claim 4 wherein the multipoint member is formed of an electrically conductive material.
 6. The toy of claim 4 wherein the multipoint member is formed of a dielectric material of different dielectric constant than the hollow sphere.
 7. The toy of claim 3 wherein the toroid is of the cross section approximating an elipse. 